A North Carolina father-of-three who has already lost his parents, grandmother and brother to cancer received heartbreaking news when he went in for a crucial doctor's visit.

Zachary Whitfield, 32, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer around the beginning of this year, which he said he 'never imagined facing.' 

Whitfield, of Wilson, worked as a machine operator for FilterEasy Air Filters but everything 'changed almost overnight' after his diagnosis. 

'Before all of this, I was a family-first, hard-working guy just trying to build a life for my kids,' he told WNCT.

Whitfield was scheduled to receive a full colon removal on February 18 but was told the surgery had to be postponed when scans revealed that the cancer had spread beyond his colon.

'At the end of the day, I'm going to keep fighting, not just for me, but for my kids, for my faith, and for anyone out there who feels like they don't have a voice,' Whitfield told the outlet.

Whitfield has said on GoFundMe that he is the sole provider for his children Makenna, nine, Noah, eight, and Alaina, four.

As of Thursday afternoon, the fundraiser to help support Whitfield's family while he battles the colon cancer had raised about $10,500 of its initial $14,000 goal.

Whitfield said he had been experiencing unhealthy symptoms but learning he actually had cancer was 'shocking.'

'Especially at 32, because you just don't expect something like that this young,' he told WNCT.

Whitfield said that his postponed surgery at the ECU Health Medical Center made him realize the gravity of his cancer.

'That moment completely changed the direction of everything,' Whitfield said.

'Within days, I began treatment, and it became clear just how serious my situation was,' he added.

The cancer has forced Whitfield to go from working up to 60 hours a week to not working at all.

But on the other hand, Whitfield added that he now cherished every moment with his three children more than ever.

On GoFundMe, Whitfield previously posted that his income was set to stop on February 17 - when he was originally scheduled for colon removal surgery.

Whitfield said then that he 'may qualify' for up to 60 percent of his average pay but that was not going to be enough to maintain his family.

'With rent, copays, deductibles, utilities, groceries, and everyday necessities — while I am physically unable to work — the burden will be overwhelming,' Whitfield wrote.

He said that the cancer diagnosis came after he had 'worked extremely hard to grow up, to leave foolish things behind me, and to become the father and provider my children deserve.'

'I live paycheck to paycheck and work hard so they have what they need — and sometimes just a little more,' Whitfield said.

Whitfield is currently on family and medical leave, according to WNCT.

He has maintained an active social media presence over the last few months as he grapples with the cancer.

On Sunday, Whitfield posted that he had spent the weekend with two of his children 'at the trampoline park and fighting in bumper cars.'

'With everything going on in life right now, these moments mean more to me than they ever have before,' he wrote. 'They slow everything down and remind me what really matters.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Whitfield for further comment.